TAIWAN– The demand for flip-chip (FC) applications for May and June produced a 6% sequential increase in Q2 sales for Nan Ya Printed Circuit Board (NPC), and the company is forecasting 10% to 15% sequential growth for Q3 based on demand for FC, wire bounding and PCB applications. Increases result from new Intel packaging products and a growing demand from handsets and gaming machines.
 
Despite a Q2 decline in the company’s profit margins of approximately 3%, due to low utilization rates and ASPs for PCBs and PBGA substrates, non-operating income helped push Q2 income up 23% with EPS remaining at NT$2.69. Because of the recent stabilization in the cost of materials and the currency exchange rates, market watchers are predicting the company will see sales over NT$11 billion during Q3

HONG KONG– Kingboard Laminates Holdings Limited recently announced that revenue and net profit for its subsidiaries rose 9% and 3% respectively during the first half of 2008. Despite electrical disruptions at several plants and volatile commodity prices, Kingboard’s subsidiaries maintained the top position in the global laminate market, according to Japan Marketing Survey Company. Volume sales increased 8%, and the addition of two new plants strengthened the vertically integrated business model.
 
There are plans to add a new copper foil plant and a glass epoxy laminate plant later this year to further increase the market position in eastern China, and despite the weak global economy, domestic consumption in emerging markets such as China is expected to maintain the company’s present growth.